The easiest way to pay your business energy bills is by Direct Debit. You could save up to 7% off the cost of your energy [1] and your payments are secure with the Direct Debit Guarantee.
Not a business? Go to our British Gas residential website
You can set up a Direct Debit by logging in to your online account. If you're not set up yet, it’s quick to register - just have a bill to hand.
To set up a Direct Debit, you'll need:
It takes a minimum of 10 working days for us to set up a Direct Debit. You won't be able to change the amount, but you can amend your bank details and change between fixed and variable in your online account.
If your business needs consent or signatures from two or more people, you'll need to complete a Direct Debit mandate form (PDF, 143kb) and pop it in the post to us.
You'll pay the same amount on the same day every month. If your agreed payment date falls at the weekend or on a bank holiday, we'll collect payment on the next working day. The amount you pay is based on your recent energy usage and any outstanding balance. We review your payments regularly to check they're right for the amount of energy you're using.
You'll pay for what you use when you use it as shown on your bill. You may pay less in the summer and more in the winter.
You can switch your Direct Debit type from fixed to variable and vice versa. Simply log in to your online account and select ‘Manage your Direct Debit’.
The amount you pay is based on your recent energy usage plus any outstanding balance spread over 12 months. For example:
Annual energy usage = £1200
Outstanding balance = £600
Total = £1800
Divided by 12 = monthly payments of £150
If we don't have an up-to-date meter reading, we base the amount on an estimate of your energy use.
Avoid estimated bills by giving us a meter reading.
If it's summer and you're using less energy, you might find you're in credit. Your payments will balance out when you use more energy over the winter.
We review your payments regularly. If you're paying too much or too little, we'll recommend a change so your payments are right for the energy you're using.
We'll let you know before we make any changes as part of the Direct Debit Guarantee.
This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits.
If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit, British Gas Business will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed.
If you request British Gas Business to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request.
If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit by British Gas Business or your bank or building society you're entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society.
If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when British Gas Business asks you to.
You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.
[1] If you agreed your contract directly with us, the 7% discount will be shown as a discount line on your bill.
If you agreed your contract through a third party broker, the discount is included in the standing charge and unit rate.
Customers who move to our variable prices, whose variable prices have changed, those we've price matched, or where another supplier’s energy agreement has transferred to us, do not qualify for a Direct Debit discount.
